Can Dogs Eat Red Cherries?

Have you ever wondered “can dogs eat cherries?” This fruit looks delicious, especially the red one. Cherries are popular with children and adults alike as a good dessert or cake decorator. Of course, cherries are also great as a snack when you’re lying in your hammock and relaxing.

But even if your furry friend licks your leg and asks you to give grain or two, can dogs eat cherries? Most of us would love to give cherries to our dogs. What harm can these delicious and charming little fruits do to our dogs? Is it okay to feed dog cherries?

Unfortunately, most dog experts do not recommend giving dogs cherries. They even strongly advise against it. But before we delve deeper into the reasons why experts say no after asking if dogs can eat cherries, let’s first look at what this little fruit can do.

Cherries Nutritional Profile

In human health and nutrition, cherries are favored for their antioxidant properties. In a world obsessed with looking and feeling young, these fruits can be a very appealing way to achieve younger skin and fewer inflammatory issues in the body.

Its antioxidant properties also give this fruit the ability to fight off inflammation and reduce the pain associated with arthritis. Cherries are also an excellent source of melatonin, which is highly valued for promoting more peaceful and better quality sleep.

Given that cherries have nutritional and health benefits for humans, it’s understandable why dog ​​owners also consider giving these fruits to their dogs.

Here is some interesting nutritional information about cherries.

Foods that are low in calories, high in fiber, and fat-free

A cup of this fruit contains no more than 90 calories, of which 3 grams is fiber, which can help improve digestion, control blood sugar levels, lower blood cholesterol levels and promote weight loss. The same cup of cherries is zero in sodium, cholesterol, and fat. Sodium-free foods mean you have less to worry about water retention.

Excellent source of vitamin C

Ascorbic acid is important for many reasons. First, it’s a powerful antioxidant that helps fight inflammation. Second, it is an essential part of collagen production. As you may already know, collagen is an important structural protein found in many connective tissues such as the skin. Thus, increasing collagen production can improve skin health.

Contains calcium, iron, vitamin A and protein

This nutrient is necessary for many reasons. Calcium is excellent for increasing and maintaining optimal bone integrity, density, and strength, while the iron is essential for more efficient oxygen transport to tissues. Vitamin A, on the other hand, is also responsible for promoting healthy vision in terms of its antioxidant properties, just like vitamin C. Among other things, proteins are essential for building cells and tissues and for the synthesis or production of enzymes, antibodies, and hormones.

Contains potassium

This mineral is important for the formation and distribution of electrical impulses across neurons and nerves. It is also important in muscle contraction, especially skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle. A cup of this fruit can contain up to 260 milligrams of potassium.

Contains melatonin and boron

We’ve already mentioned what melatonin does in particular when it comes to aiding sleep. What we haven’t mentioned is that it also helps maintain the normal functioning of our body’s internal clock. The same benefits also apply to mammals including dogs. Boron, on the other hand, is important for maintaining stable calcium levels and can therefore play an important role in bone health.

Contains anthocyanins

Don’t let the word “cyanine” in anthocyanins fool you. This has nothing to do with the toxic substance we know as cyanide. While cherries also contain amygdalin, one of the many cyanide precursors, anthocyanins are a completely different substance. Anthocyanins are substances that give certain fruits a bluish or reddish color. Research has shown that anthocyanins play a role in protecting the heart and surrounding tissues.

Given the nutritional profile of these cherries—low in calories, high in fiber, high in vitamins, and free of cholesterol and fat—it’s no surprise why cherries are frequently featured on some of the world’s healthiest food lists. Why can’t we give our dogs cherries?

Can Dogs Eat Cherries? What makes them dangerous?

According to experts, cherries are poisonous to dogs, especially if the whole fruit is fed. That said, if you provide meat with holes, stalks, leaves, and seeds, there’s a high chance it will harm your dog. This is because cherries are classified as cyanogenic glycosides. Technically, cherries don’t contain cyanide, but they do contain amygdalin, a very common substance in certain fruits.

Amygdalin is found in the seeds of fruits such as apricots, peaches, bitter almonds, plums, and apple seeds. When these fruits are digested, amygdalin is broken down by the enzyme beta-glucosidase or emulsion in the small intestine. Amygdalin is also digested by the enzyme amygdalase.

• After the degradation of amgydalin, gentiobiose and L-mandelonitrile are formed.
• Gentiobiose is further broken down to produce glucose.
• L-Mandelonitrile is further broken down into cyanohydrin.
• Cyanohydrin is decomposed into benzaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide.

As you can see, one of the end products of amygdalin digestion is cyanide, the other two are glucose and benzaldehyde. But here lies the controversy. If cherry is eaten by a dog, it doesn’t mean that the whole cherry is filled with amygdalin. Proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins as well as other nutrients, especially phytochemicals, result from our discussion above.

Let’s analyze the one cherry hypothesis. Let’s say a cherry weighs 5 grams. Let’s say cherries contain about 2% by weight amygdalin, which means their amygdalin content is 100 milligrams. However, since amygdalin is still broken down into three different substances, we assume that the hydrogen cyanide is 20%. This gives a value of 20 milligrams of hydrogen cyanide.

The lethal dose in humans is believed to be between 0.6 milligrams and 1.5 milligrams of cyanide per kilogram of body weight. For example, if a person weighed 100 kilograms, that would mean a lethal dose of cyanide would be in the range of 60 milligrams to 150 milligrams of hydrogen cyanide. By our calculations, this means that 3 to 7 cherries should have killed us. But we know people who can eat a bowl of fresh cherries and who are still alive and well. So what caused it?

It’s either our assumptions about the exaggerated percentage of amygdalin hydrogen cyanide concentration per cherry.

If the former is true, it means actual amygdalin levels could be much lower. Of course, one could say that the lethal dose of cyanide is technically higher in humans than in dogs. Assuming you only need about a tenth the lethal human dose to be considered lethal to dogs. Even then there were dogs in other parts of the world that ate grapes, raisins and cherries, but they were fine.

True, people also like to eat cherries, and the number of incidents in which a person dies from eating cherries is almost zero. However, this can still lead to poisoning.

Check out what happened in Lancashire, England in July 2017 when a man broke the seeds of three cherries and ate them. Within 10 minutes the man felt sleepy and hot enough. He was taken to the emergency room at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and diagnosed with cyanide poisoning. Thank God he recovered. Medics at the hospital said it was the first time they had met someone poisoned from eating the fruit seeds.

The British Columbia Drug and Poison Information Center’s poisons expert said problems arose when the man opened the seeds and amygdalin was broken down by gut enzymes, releasing hydrogen cyanide in between. The agency also said only the fruit from the cherry tree was considered non-toxic. That means the roots, leaves, stems, branches, bark and everything else are poisonous. The fruit is not poisonous unless you break open the seeds.

Unfortunately, this is a difficult thing. Given that dogs typically require lower doses of hydrogen cyanide to become poisoned and that there is no way we can train our dogs not to open cherry seeds, it’s entirely possible that dogs could die from eating cherries. If not, you will also experience the following symptoms:

• The onset of sudden pain or difficulty breathing;
• Dilated pupils;
• Bright red gums;
• Seizures;
• Shock if not treated immediately.

This means that if your dog eats cherries whole – flesh, stems, seeds and all – and exhibits the above symptoms within 24 hours of ingesting the cherries, there is a good chance your pet has been poisoned. You shouldn’t waste any time. You must take your dog to the vet so treatment can begin immediately.

Oftentimes, the vet will induce vomiting in your dog to remove as many toxins as possible from his digestive tract. Of course, you cannot expect all toxins to be brought out this way, so other measures may still need to be taken. Note that there have been reports of dogs dying within 2 hours of the first symptoms.

Can we give cherries to the dog?

Can you feed your dogs cherries? Of course, you can. BUT there is! Cherries should be given in moderation. Here are some suggestions to follow when giving your dog cherries.

Always remove the seeds. Amygdalin is found in cherry seeds. It is also found in the stems, leaves, and roots. Cherry stones contain amygdalin and prunasin. If cherry stones are chewed and digested, these substances produce toxic hydrocyanic acid, which impedes cell respiration. If seeds are swallowed whole, they are excreted undigested with the feces. As soon as the kernels are chewed, the cyan contained in the kernels reacts with the body’s own cyanogens, producing toxic hydrocyanic acid. Here’s a good tip: if you’re going to give cherries to your dog, ONLY give the meat.

Don’t make the mistake of giving your canned or processed cherries. Of course, these fruits were sown, so they must be safe, right? Also wrong! Commercially processed cherries are loaded with artificial sweeteners, which can also cause problems of their own. Also, too much sugar can increase a dog’s risk of developing diabetes.

Always give cherries in moderation. One or two cherries will do. Better yet, use safer alternatives like peeled and cored apples and blueberries. Cherries are nutritious. This fruit is rich in melatonin, antioxidants, and other nutrients. However, since the main problem is the amygdalin it contains, it is best to only feed the cherry pulp. Also, stay away from canned cherries. Again, moderation and following the meat-only rule are key here.

Sweet fruits are also a temptation for dogs. Your dog can easily eat up to 5 cherries a day, larger amounts can cause diarrhea and gas. Overripe fruits are gently washed with water to remove pollutants. The core, stalk, and base of the stalk should be removed.